How Would You "Tier" Timeshare Properties?

[lizap]

The OP should understand that there are clearly differences of opinion regarding this issue. While some see a benefit in purchasing certain brands, others do not. He/she can make that decision for himself/herself.

No one has suggested they'd allow a resort to become a "dump".

No one with the resources to purchase a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons timeshare would think that they offer anything but quality resorts, so where is the value (for TUG readers) in trying to emphasize or establish this??? Or to try to create a list of these hoteliers-in-in-the-timeshare-business, which are already well known?

 

[DeniseM]

This is a great thread, but let's be sure we are attacking IDEAS and not other posters. - Thank you!

 

[x3 skier]

Tier zero is the ones I own since I use them every year.

As far as any others, I subscribe to the idea of you get what you pay for, resale that is.

Cheers

 

[timeos2]

Would Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons allow one of their properties to turn into a dump? Don't they have standards?

No - but since they really only lend their name to a developer and a management they actually have limited control. Those builders / operators can choose to barely meet the requirements (or meet them initially) then let things slide downhill for many years before begrudgingly agreeing to fix things. There is absolutely nothing preventing a non-name brand organization also choosing high end finishes, upper crust appliances, etc and doing it for less as they don't have to pay the hefty overhead (and often other markups) on the brand blessed items.

The name just doesn't really guarantee much of anything but high fees and purchase price.

 

[Bourne]

Not to compare us to the apple fanboy league, but the pull of a brand cannot be discounted. Take these three examples and try it out with someone you know...the answer would be... Oh you stayed at the four seasons, Hyatt, Marriott etc whereas the other option is a marked improvement in quality

Hyatt Coconut Plantation vs Wyndham Dye Villas
Four Seasons Aviara vs Montecristo estates at pueblo bonito
Marriott Willow Ridge vs Big Cedar
Westin St John/Marriott Frenchman cove vs Residences at the Crane

 

[geekette]

I have been fortunate enough to stay at Montecristo, in 2 of the original homes. That's one of those places that calls me back, but I can't own there due to huge fees (I think it was ~$2500/week a few years ago). This is a case where you are definitely paying for the experience but you do get a lot and it is all top notch.

 

[Lisa P]

Not to compare us to the apple fanboy league, but the pull of a brand cannot be discounted. Take these three examples...

No doubt! The big, hotel-brands develop (or associate their names with) gorgeous resorts, and they market their name brand heavily. It's common knowledge, what the public expects at these name resorts.

Unfortunately, they may or may not consistently produce, in the area of maintenance of timeshares. In the hotel business, they may sell off a property that no longer suits. Owners of Marriott timeshares have been burned when Marriott failed to continue to manage the properties well and were then voted out, leaving the owners with a loss of system perks, for which they had paid a hefty premium, expecting value from the high-end brand. Not pretty.

 

[sungandjudy]

Doesn't the "top tier" resorts also pull more exchange options in II? For us, to be able to "see" or have enough trading power to trade into other nice resorts are important.
I think some of the non-brands resorts may have tougher time doing this.

 

[Bourne]

Doesn't the "top tier" resorts also pull more exchange options in II? For us, to be able to "see" or have enough trading power to trade into other nice resorts are important.
I think some of the non-brands resorts may have tougher time doing this.

I think II/RCI are more equitable in that regard. RCI more than II as it has let go of the group preference.

Depending upon quality/location/time, there are a significant number of resorts that can trump the pull of branded ones.

 

[ampaholic]

I think the top tier holds the resorts I want to stay at.

The second tier holds the resorts I would stay at if necessary in order to visit that area reasonably (and they aren't dumps according to other TUGGERS).

The third tier holds all the rest.

By the way World of Tiers by Phillip Jose Farmer is a great read!

 

[csalter2]

No doubt! The big, hotel-brands develop (or associate their names with) gorgeous resorts, and they market their name brand heavily. It's common knowledge, what the public expects at these name resorts.

Unfortunately, they may or may not consistently produce, in the area of maintenance of timeshares. In the hotel business, they may sell off a property that no longer suits. Owners of Marriott timeshares have been burned when Marriott failed to continue to manage the properties well and were then voted out, leaving the owners with a loss of system perks, for which they had paid a hefty premium, expecting value from the high-end brand. Not pretty.

I'm not sure I understand Please share with me the system perks that Marriott timeshare owners lost.

 

[Jumper1]

how would you teier timeshares

I believe the Royal Resorts in Cancun and elsewhere rate at the top, also.

 

[bobpark56]

I believe the Royal Resorts in Cancun and elsewhere rate at the top, also.

We have stayed in 4 of the Royal Resorts. In our view, they are at least half a notch below most Starwood and Marriott resorts...except for the Royal Haciendas. Moreover, the 2 best ones (Royal Haciendas and Royal Sands) are now all-inclusive resorts. I consider that a serious strike against them.

 

[Lisa P]

I'm not sure I understand Please share with me the system perks that Marriott timeshare owners lost.

Owners were no longer able to have priority for exchanging into other Marriott resorts - a major reason for many to purchase in the first place. I don't know how the system is these days, since we sold our Marriott many years ago, but at one time, Marriott owners were able to convert their weeks into Marriott Rewards points, for years when they wanted to travel to destinations where there were Marriott hotels but no timeshares. Many people have purchased into a mini-system or brand for whatever ownership benefits the brand touted, beyond the use of the home resort property and week. Developers encourage this as part of their sales pitch. But if they later drop a resort from their management or if they perform poorly and then the ownership feels backed into a corner (paying exorbitant fees but not receiving quality management and maintenance), then those owners still own a week at the physical resort but brand-associated benefits cease.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Interesting thread. Using the 0 1 2 + rating earlier in the post.

Full disclosure I own at Wyndham, Hilton and Tradewinds.

My Tier 0 would also include Tradewinds, especially the new Luxury or Flagship yachts they are now purchasing. (I would not put the Classic Yachts into that rating, in fact that would be a tier 2 -). They are included in the Registry collection, and are a very nice vacation choice.)

Hilton, I also agree to Tier 1 as their product is consistent and very nice.

Wyndham is a bit of an anomaly. Presidential units (which I book 1/3 to 1/2 the time) would be a tier 1, absolutely. There are many Deluxe units that would be Tier 2. But there some older resorts that would be less than a tier 2. I just usually don't go to them.

Now my ratings would be on the furnishings and rooms, locations (# choices and where I want) and experience at the resort. I did not use cost (MFs) or Purchase Price.

For Tradewinds that is not everyone's thing. But having booked 4 tradewinds this year and 3 of the 4 of them being the new yachts, they are wonderful. Of course sailing and diving is the vacation that I like to do. (Besides who can fault a vacation in French Poly that I just got back from 3 weeks ago.)

Having stayed at Diamond (Tier 2 or below) Hyatt (Tier 1), Sheraton (Tier 2-), Marriott (Tier 1), Worldmark (Tier 2-), Grand Luxxe (Tier 1), Royals (Tier 1), based on my experiences.

My thoughts ..... How much are the Tier 0s an ongoing concern. There are issues at FS and RC DC with resorts dropping out. That is an ongoing concern for those resort and resort groups. Food for thought. What about stability of the group. They have a very limited number of locations.

Wyndham has it faults, but its product choices are growing not narrowing.

 

[AbelowDS]

Thank you, everyone. This has been a very helpful discussion for me. Appreciate all the input!

 

[Myxdvz]

Disclaimer: I own DVC and Wyndham...

I looked at Starwoods, Hilton and Marriott

But there aren't any properties within driving distance of Chicago --

So for this TUGGer, the value of my TS is not just in the name -- but locations where I CAN go.

I've stayed at a Four Seasons resort (not TS) (Austin) -- and am still unclear to this day, what's the big deal about it... W's are better, IMO. Maybe it was just one of those older properties.